PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Ellen Ingram Fretterd, 75, fought a valiant battle against lung cancer but ultimately passed on Dec. 3, 2010, surrounded by her devoted husband of 58 years, LTG (ret) James F. Fretterd (of Federalsburg), and her adoring daughters (Laura Fretterd Patrick of Harrington and Linda Fretterd Earls of Greensboro), at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia. Born in Pike, W.Va., Ellen was the daughter of the late Carl Roy Ingram of Cleveland, Ohio; and the late Hazel Midkiff of Seaford, Del. Ellen was an energetic, compassionate, driven woman with a thirst for knowledge. A graduate from Seaford High School at the age of 16, she received her AA degree from Chesapeake College and a BA degree from the former Salisbury State College, where in 1988 she was appointed by then Governor William Donald Schaefer (MD) to the first board of visitors. She served on Salisbury University's Board of Visitors and, subsequently, the Foundation Board for a total of twenty years. A former employee of Dupont Purchasing Department in Seaford, Del., for 17 years, Ellen sacrificed her career to raise her two daughters and support her husband's 53 years of service with the Maryland National Guard. Founder of the Maryland NG Family Support Program, Ellen was the recipient of the Molly Pitcher Award for support of the field artillery; she was also known as the "first lady of the Guard" for her compassion for the Fretterds' extended Guard family and friends as she attended every event, celebration, and conference right next to her husband. Always proud, elegant, yet humble, Ellen was stylish and graceful. In addition, Ellen was very active in her beloved church, St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Denton, where she sang in the choir, taught Sunday school, was an active member of Elizabeth Circle, and continually made creative contributions such as annually decorating the Holy Cross for Easter, making crismons for the Christmas tree, sewing and designing the stoles for the ministers, and crafting a bookmark for every pew Bible and hymnal. A Girl Scout Troop Leader, active member of the PTA at Denton Elementary School, and devoted friend to all who knew her, Ellen loved to paint, sing, crochet, sew, read, attend plays, and, most of all, play with and care for her beloved grandchildren: Amber Patrick (12), Ryan Patrick (10), Ryan Earls (18), and Morgan Earls (5). She will be dearly missed by her surviving siblings, Roy Ingram of Seaford, Del., Virginia Albert of Salisbury, Md., and Ida Marroni of Odessa, Del. Funeral services were. Thursday, Dec. 9, at the St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Denton, Md. The Rev. Ray F. Graham officiated, and was assisted by Chaplain (ret.) Rev. Donald Reynolds. Interment was in the Bloomery Cemetery in Federalsburg. Moore's Funeral Home in Denton coordinated all services. Ellen's six cousins: Alan, Jeffrey, Glenn, Michael, Matthew, and Joseph Bailey of Delaware will serve as pallbearers. Lunch, was catered by the Market Street Public House, and was served at the Fellowship Hall of St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Denton following the services. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Luke's United Methodist Church 100 S. 5th Ave. Denton, MD 21629. moorefuneralhomepa.com.